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E. & A. MERLE.

ADJUSTABLE MODEL 0R DUMMY FOR DRESS MAKERS USE.

No. 317,830. [r a Patented May 12, 11.885.

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(No Model.) 2 SheetsSheet 2 E.'& A. MERLE. ADJUSTABLE MODEL 0E DUMMY EOE DRESS MAKERS USE.

Patented May 12, 1885.

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EMILIE MERLE AND APOLLONIE MERLE, OF PARIS, FRANCE.

ADJUSTABLE MODEL OR DUMMY FOR DRESS-MAKERS USE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 317,830, dated May 12, 1885.

Application filed May 31, 1884. (N0 model.) Patented in France December 5, 1882, No.152,453, andin England November 12,1883,

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, EMILIE MERLE and APOLLONIE MERLE, citizens of France, residing at Paris, in the Department of the Seine, have invented new and useful Improvements in an Adjustable Model or Dummy for Dress Makers Use, and for other purposes, (for which French Letters Patent No. 152,453, dated December 5, 1882, have been obtained,) of which the following is a specification.

This invention has for its object to make a model or dummy which may be adjusted to conform to the figures of different persons. By making the model adjustable the necessity for a large number of them and the consequent expense and trouble of obtaining and keeping them are avoided.

The invention consists in the adjustable model or dummy and combinations and arrangements of its parts, as hereinafter explained.

The accompanying drawings represent two forms of model or dummy constructed in accordance with the invention, one form being shown in Figures 1 to 5, and another in Fig. 6. Fig. l is a sectional elevation looking to the rear, Fig. 2, a front elevation; Fig. 3, a profile or side view; Figs. 4 and 5, views in horizontal section looking upward, and Fig. 6, aper spective. Figs. 1 and 4. show the figure contracted; Figs. 2, 3, and 5, expanded. Fig. 6'

a nut, H, the thread a anut, H, both of which nuts slide on the tube 0, and are guided by slots therein.

The upper nut, H, is connected by links I I. 1 with the bust-sections E E E at the front of the figure. The ends'of thelinks are jointed to the eye-plates J J J, Figs. 4 and 5, on the respective sections.

The lower nut, H, is connected by links K K with the back-sections F F. The bust-sections are separated from each other by vertical divisionlines. Each of the bust-sections E E E F F is hinged by means of flexible metal strips 6, or by other suitable means, to the wooden collar or ring G, that surrounds the tube 0. A leather band, 9, surrounds the metal strips. The front and back sections are connected with each other at the shoulders by small hinges 6. (See Fig. 3.)

By turning the rod A in one direction (to the left, as shown) the nuts HH will be drawn together, and the links I I 1 K K, being drawn toward a horizontal position, spread apart and push outward the lower ends of the bustsections until the extreme position is reached. Since the pitch of thread a is greater thanthat of lower thread, a, the front sections will be separated more rapidly than the back ones. Thus the proportion of the figure will be preserved, notwithstanding the adjustment. In Fig. 6 the means of adjustment also effect this differential adj ustment, as it may be called. The rod Ahas only one thread, which engages a nut in the collar of the figure, and the said rodis connected at its lower end with a plug that slides in the interior of the tube 0, and is connected by ears h with the five-armed slide cl. Above this is a second slide, d, which moves freely on the tube 0. The slide (1 is a ring with five small lugs on the cir cumference, each above one of the arms of the slide (1. The two slides are connected by inclined rods, 1, each of which passes through an eye, 2, on the inside of one of the bust sections. The rods 1 are fastened to the two slides d d. When the screw-rod Ais turned to raise the two slides d d, the inclined rods slip in the eyes 2 and press out the bust-sections. When the screwrod A is turned in the opposite direction the bust is contracted. The relative movement of each bust-section depends upon the relative inclination of the corresponding rods. As the slides d d and inclined rods 1 are rigidly contreated, the form of the bust after the parts have once been arranged properly is maintained through all the adjustments.

In order to bridge the space between the bust-sections at the bottom,a system of crossed and jointed metalrods L, Fig. 2, or G, Fig. 6, (similar to lazy'-tongs,) is at the ends fastened to the side sections E E and at the middle to the section B. The system G, Fig. 6, extends only a short distance beyond the edge of the' bust-sections E E, but the system L extends farther, as clearly represented in Fig. 2. The joints allow the system of rods to expand and contract according to the adjustment. In order to further protect the spaces between the sections, elastic lacing 10' may be laced across one or more or all of them between the lace-hooks P, as shown in Fig. 2.

Attached to the bust-sections at their lower edges, or to the rods L or G at their crossings, are a number of longitudinal wires or strips, P, which constitute the lower part of the model or dummy. These wires are confined at the waist Q, Fig. 6, by the girdle B of leather, or preferably of steel, which can be adjusted, as required, by an ordinary buckle or other means, and which is graduated, say, to centimeters. (See Fig. 6.) It may be adjusted vertically on the wires P or on other supports depending from the bust-sections. The elasticity of the wires or strips P allows the girdle to be taken in or let out at will. In Fig. 1 the wires P are simply confined at the bottom by the hoops N N N; but in Fig. 6 they are combined with means for adj ustment.

At the hips S are a series of small slides, a, each connected by a link, T, with the ring K*,

which can be raised and lowered by a nut, M,

on the screw 11. The screw is tapped through the sleeve at the apex of the tripod, which supports the dummy figure and extends into the tube 0. The nut with which the ring K is connected slides freely in the tube 0, and when the screw 11 is turned said nut is moved up or down in the tube 0, and, of course, moves with it the ring K The tube 0 rests upon the nut 0, which is prevented from turning with the screw H by the friction of the tube against it, or by holding by hand, if necessary. By moving the nut up and down, the links T are thrown out or drawn in, and this movement increases or diminishes the circumference of the hips.

A second and lower ring, L, is attached to the former by means of one or more connections, Z, which may be metal bars fastened at the lower end to the ring L and at the upper end to the ring 131*. These connections are graduated in divisions corresponding to the variable circumference of the hips in order to give a sure indication in adjusting by the upright screws 12. Preferably two of these screws are used. The other screw would be precisely like it, but arranged on the opposite side of the tube. Each screw b turns freely in a lug inside the ring L, and is tapped through a lug on the inside of the ring M." It has a head, 11*, for turning it. WVhen turned in one direction it draws down the ring M, when turned in the other it raises it. To the ring L slides a are connected by the inclined links T, and these are connected at the middle by the links (1*, clined in the opposite direction with the intermediate ring, M. This ring M is independent of the central tube, and is distances apart by the vertical rods which prevent the wires or strips Pbending between them. At the upper part of the vertical rods at B, is a rubber ring, (not shown,) which surrounds the rods and wires P,'and prevents them spreading out.

On the upper and lower rings, K* L, are the lugs c. There are two pairs of lugs on each ring. A screw, m, (which can be turned by a key,) is journaled in each pair of lugs, and is tapped through the ends of the rods 19, which are fastened to the nuts M L respectively. The nut L, as well as the nut M, en gages the screw 11, and slides in the tube 0. The screws m, it may be observed, support therings K* L. By turning them the rings can be moved in a horizontal plane toward the front or rear, so as to make the model or dummy conform to the different vertical lines of the figure to be imitated.

By the combination of these different movements controlled by the screws A H and the screws b m the exterior form of the model or dummy can be changed in any desired way. Its height is adjustable by means of the not 0 on the screw H.

.In 1 there is a nut, O, on the screw H for raising and lowering the dummy or model. The screw H is fixed in the bottom of the tube 0, and slides in the tripod D. A

set-screw, q, is provided for retaining it in whatever position it may be adjusted. In Fig. 6 the legs of the tripod turn on the hinges 8 whenever the three screws which maintain them in the position shown are raised, and the model or dummy can be packed away in small space.

The ends of the wires or strips P in Fig. 6 are connected by the jointed rods V.

The operation of the device is as follows: Referring to Fig. 1, the height of the dummy from the floor is adjusted by turning the nut O. The bust-sections are then spread apart or drawn together by turning the rod A. The girdle It, Fig. 2, is also expanded or drawn in to the proper extent. Thus the shape of the bust is changed as may be required. Beferring to Fig. 6, the height of the dummy from the floor is regulated by turning the nut IIO 0. The bust-sections are spread apart or drawn The longitudinal hand the screw H, so as to raise or lower the rings K* L.

It is evident that modifications in details can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The number of bust-sections may be varied. Parts of the invention may also be used separately.

The invention is applicable to all kinds of figures, those of men and children, for example, as well as of women.

Having now fully described our said invention, and the manner of carrying the same into effect, what we claim is v l. The combination, with the bust-sections, of the adjusting mechanism common to and connected with both the front and the back sections, so as to adjust them simultaneously, and comprising devices, such as the screw rod, nut, or nuts, and connections, substantially as described, the said devices being constructed and arranged as explained, whereby the front sections are movable faster than the wires or strips fastened to the said bust-sections at the lower edge thereof, said wires being separate pieces from the bust-sections and 0 several of them depending from each of said sections, substantially as described.

5. The combination, with the adjustable bust-sections, of the extensible and collapsible system of crossed and jointed rods, and the 5 longitudinal strips or wires fastened to the said rods or to them and the bust-sections, substantially as described.

6. The combination, with the adjustable bust-sections, separated from each other by 0 vertical division-lines, and the longitudinal skirt-wires depending therefrom, several of them being'attached at the lower edge of each bust-section, of the adjustable girdle confining the wires at the waist of the figure, the main 55 portions of said figure being below the girdle and formingaskirt, substantially as described.

7. The combination, with the adjustable bust-sections, separated from each other by vertical division-lines, and the longitudinal 6o skirt-wires depending therefrom, several of them being attached at the lower edge of each bust-section, of the girdle, confining the wires at the waist, and the stretchers connected with said wires below the girdle for adjusting the 65 skirt of the figure, substantially as described. In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

EMILIE MERLE. APOLLONIE MERLE.

Witnesses:

ARTHUR Goon, AUG. VINoK. 

